BS in Health Sciences

The bachelor of science in health sciences curriculum reflects the different educational goals and breadth of needs of the students enrolled in the program. The bachelor of science in health sciences can also be a baccalaureate completion program for associate's degree allied health graduates. As health care shifts to outpatient and community settings, and more health promotion and health education, these graduates with their expanded professional role capability will be able to provide more effective care to the community. The curriculum includes completion of the USM Core Curriculum requirements, the Health Sciences core requirements, and one track of study: wellness, pre-professional, health care administration, or the occupational therapy "jumpstart" program.

Retention and Progression Requirements

While enrolled in Health Sciences, students must:

Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.

Earn a minimum grade of C- in all required courses. Students receiving a grade lower than C- in a required course will not be allowed to sequence into post-requisite coursework until the prerequisite deficiency has been rectified.

Probation

Students with less than 60 accumulated credits will be placed on academic probation for failure to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50. Students failing to rectify the GPA deficiency within a one-year probation period will be removed from their declared major and from their status as a student within the Department. Upon rectifying the GPA deficiency, students can reapply for admission into a Departmental major.

Graduation Requirements

Students will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in health sciences when the following are satisfied:

Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.

Completion of all University Core curriculum requirements.

Completion of all health sciences core required coursework with a minimum grade of C-.

Completion of coursework within one track of study with a minimum grade of C-.

Completion of 120 credits.

Degree Requirements

The bachelor of science in health sciences consists of 120 credit hours: University Core Curriculum courses, Health Sciences major required core courses, a Track of Study, and approved electives if needed to complete the 120-minimum credit requirement.

Track of Study (30 credits)

Students must complete one track of study as part of the health sciences major. Students who have a two-year Health-Related Associates Degree do not have to complete a track of study (i.e. 30 credits of the A.S. degree will be applied to the Track requirement) except for those interested in pursuing the Occupational Therapy Jumpstart track.

The wellness, pre-professional, and health care administration tracks present the option for a minor though the completion of a minor is not required.

This track is for students interested in pursuing USM's Masters in Occupational Therapy (MOT). Entrance into this program is competitive and includes the completion of a formal application process. For more information about USM's MOT please contact the Coordinator of Graduate programs at USM's Lewiston-Auburn College.

Note: courses listed below represent the student's last year of study in the Health Sciences major and first year of study in the MOT, and can only be taken by students who have been formally accepted into USM's MOT program.

In addition to the requirements established for admission to the University, the Department of Exercise, Health, and Sport Sciences requires applicants to have successfully completed high school chemistry and biology with labs.

Students enrolled in other USM programs of study desiring to enroll in health sciences through the change of major process, must have a 2.50 USM GPA.